Buffalo Bills - TeamReport

When it came to upgrading an offense that ranked 28th, 14th and 21st in points scored the last three seasons, the Bills were far from finished with the selection of a quarterback in the first round of last month's draft.

After taking Florida State's EJ Manuel with the 16th pick, general manager Buddy Nix and coach Doug Marrone turned their attention to giving him some targets to throw to other than veteran Stevie Johnson, the team's only productive wide receiver after Donald Jones and David Nelson were given their release.

Drafted in the second round, 41st overall, was USC's Robert Woods and in the third round, 78th overall, was Texas' Marquise Goodwin. Both players represent a serious upgrade in raw speed, not to mention the salary saved as rookies. In the seventh round, the Bills even chose to add a tight end who can run in Arkansas Chris Gragg.

Marrone, the former Syracuse coach, plans to operate a West Coast-version offense with coordinator Nate Hackett. Their version emphasizes a vertical attack. When the Bills assembled for rookie mini-camp May 10-12, that philosophy was starting to come into focus.

"I think that the background and history when people talk about the West Coast immediately in their mind I think of coach (Bill) Walsh with the San Francisco 49ers," Marrone said. "They had more of a horizontal passing game, but when I think of the West Coast, I think of it a little bit more of my background and what I have been involved with which is a little bit more vertically down the field. I think whether you are throwing the ball five yards and hitting someone on the run with speed or whether you have the ability to get behind someone, I think that is what you are looking for."

The Bills on paper certainly have those types of speed players to get behind defenders.

Woods, a solidly built 6-0, 190, clocked 4.43 for scouts while the 5-9 Goodwin, an Olympic long jumper, clocked a blazing 4.34. Add in T.J. Graham, a third-round pick in 2012 who runs in their neighborhood, and Marrone and Hackett are feeling like kids in a candy store.

Buffalo's receiving corps is rounded out by the likes of Brad Smith, a veteran whose wheels and open-field running has made him one of the NFL's top kickoff men, and third-year pro Marcus Easley, who has battled a myriad of medical problems but has a chance to be very good.

"I think we do have some players there that maybe not have played a lot in the past, but have really worked hard and shown us a lot," Marrone said. "So when you sit there as a coach and you say, 'Gosh these two guys are really good players.' To pick one, those are the best situations you can be in. That is the type of environment we are trying to create."

During rookie mini-camp, Manuel and his new teammates were instantly on the same page on many plays working in team drills against a cast of new defensive backs. Marrone even had Manuel air the ball out.

"Oh yeah," Manuel said. "The fact that I have Marquise Goodwin on my team now, I have to get used to that, just letting it go because sometimes you want to just be perfect. But with that guy you can just throw it out there. All the receivers can run, but definitely Marquise."

And what of Woods?

"Rob did a great job, always seemed to be open and ran great routes," Manuel said.

Most believe Woods, the former Trojan, can step right in and start alongside Johnson. Last fall, Woods caught 76 passes for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns for a team that believe it or not failed to live up to expectations. He's USC's all-time receptions leader with 252 grabs for nearly 3,000 yards and 32 scores.

"We're coming in here and hopefully me and EJ can make the team different and it can win more games," said Woods, fully aware that the Bills have missed the playoffs 13 consecutive years. "Once again, we've got to compete, not only for our spots, but to win games in the future."

Woods had one of his best games against Marrone's Syracuse team last season, catching 10 passes for 93 yards, running a reverse 76 yards, and returning a punt 31 yards. In addition to that up-close look, Marrone got to see Woods in an individual workout that sealed the deal.

"Talking to him, we use the term 'NFL ready.' You've got to come in here and compete and he's someone that can," Marrone said. "He's a high quality kid with lots of skill."

Woods smiles when thinking that he was auditioning for his future NFL coach when he played against Syracuse.

"Hopefully that was something he remembered," he said. "I want to thank him for making the selection and coming up and getting me. It's just an honor to play football in the NFL."

--Coach Doug Marrone was impressed with what he saw of rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso during the team's rookie mini-camp that concluded May 12. The team thinks the Oregon product, whom the Bills selected in the second round, 46th overall, can start at middle linebacker in their base 3-4 scheme.

"In this phase, it almost looked like he wanted to tackle someone and we can't do that," Marrone chuckled. "And that's one of the things we're trying to teach them also. When the veterans come in, you don't want to be on the ground. There's not a lot of contact with your helmet. It's all basically your hands and your feet moving. (But) he looked like he was ready to start tackling today."

The Bills had hoped to add veteran Karlos Dansby, a Miami Dolphins free agent, to their remodeled linebacker corps, but he re-signed with his old team, Arizona.

--One thing that always drove fans crazy with former coach Chan Gailey was his habit of deferring taking the ball until the second half whenever he won the coin toss. In a call-in show on buffalobills.com, Marrone said he's the same way.

"I like having the ball at halftime on offense because I think adjustments are big. And I think that's a big difference," he said. "You can win games by how you adjust not just at halftime but how you adjust during the game on the sideline."

--Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kyle Williams is the Bills 2012 Ed Block Courage Foundation Award winner. The award honors those NFL players who exemplify sportsmanship and courage. This award is a coveted by players as it comes in a vote by teammates.

--The Bills announced the dates for their organized team activities. They are May 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 23, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Following that is a mandatory mini-camp June 11, 12, 13. With a new coaching staff in place, participation whether it be voluntary or mandatory is expected to be near 100 percent.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "First off, it felt great to be back with a team. Through the pre-draft process, you get so used to doing things on your own or with guys who are training and things like that. But today, it was a real practice. Strap it up with cleats and a helmet back on. It was a great feeling." -- QB EJ Manuel, the team's first-round pick, assessing his first practice at rookie mini-camp.

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NFL Team Report - Buffalo Bills - STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

A closer look at the Bills' picks:

Round 1/16 -- EJ Manuel, QB, 6-4, 237, Florida State

No team studied quarterback prospects as hard or thoroughly as Buffalo in what was considered a weak class. But in making Manuel their starter of the future, perhaps this season if he can beat out veterans Kevin Kolb and Tarvaris Jackson, the Bills get the biggest, fastest (4.55) and one of the smartest quarterbacks available. Manuel will need work, like developing the ability to read the entire field and make his progressions. But his size and versatility as a runner and passer gives new coach Doug Marrone a major building block.

Round 2/41 -- Robert Woods, WR, 6-0, 190, USC

On the heels of taking their quarterback, the Bills added one of the elite receivers in college football in Woods, who finished as USC's career receptions leader with 252. After a monster junior year (111 receptions, 1,292 yards, 15 touchdowns), his production dropped as a senior but that was more a product of team injuries and quarterback Matt Barkley's struggles. Runs a 4.43 forty and should be able to step right in and contribute in Buffalo's spread offense that will utilize three and four wides.

Round 2/46 -- Kiko Alonso, ILB, 6-3, 238, Oregon

The Bills desperately need to get stronger up the middle (31st vs. the run) and were willing to take a chance on Alonso, who wasn't a full-time starter until his senior year and has a history of off-field problems. Had 81 tackles including 14 for loss last fall. With his size and foot speed, Bills hope he can run and cover and be a three-down player while helping their run defense improve.

Round 3/78 -- Marquise Goodwin, WR, 5-9, 179, Texas

A very intriguing player who adds to the team's overall speed. Was the NCAA long jump champion who competed at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Clocked a 4.34 dash time for scouts and also impressed the Bills with his desire and ability to block, which will earn him playing time if he can do that at the NFL level. Was a four-year football player at Texas and wound up playing 50 games. Joins a team where jobs are open at wide receiver.

Round 4/105 -- Duke Williams, S, 5-11, 201, Nevada

A sure-handed tackler who appeared in 50 college games and recorded 292 tackles, including 18 that saved touchdowns the past two seasons. He has a very good chance of making the roster with Bills parting ways with strong safety George Wilson and because of his versatility. He can play either strong safety, corner or nickel corner. Plays with an "edge" and Bills' 22nd-ranked defense desperately needs to get meaner.

Round 5/143 -- Jonathan Meeks, S, 6-1, 210, Clemson

Another player to add to the competitive mix at safety, either free or strong. Has great foot speed (4.49) to go with his size. Notched 62 tackles and two interceptions at school where Bills scouts have a lot of connections.

Round 6/177 -- Dustin Hopkins, K, 6-2, 193, Florida State

NCAA career points leader with 466 who has the potential to replace veteran star Rian Lindell. Converted 88 of 112 field goals for the Seminoles, including 9 of 15 on tries from 50 yards and beyond. Strong on kickoffs with average hang time of 4.5 seconds. A freak athlete, who ran 4.71 and did 20 bench press reps at 225 pounds.

Round 7/222 -- Chris Gragg, TE, 6-3, 244, Arkansas

With veteran Scott Chandler recovering from ACL surgery, the Bills covered their bases by using a pick obtained in the Rams trade. Gragg was a top prospect entering his senior year but was limited to five games due to a knee injury of his own. Had a breakout junior year, averaging 12.6 yards on 41 catches and was a strong blocker. Can fill the H-back role in Buffalo's scheme. Very good value at this spot.

--DE Spencer Johnson is a backup quality talent, who has just 14 sacks in nine NFL seasons, the last five in Buffalo. He has been a part of some of the worst defenses in Bills history. They can do better.

--WR Ruvell Martin is a 6-4 target who has just 24 catches over the past four NFL seasons bouncing between four teams. Not a high priority to retain.

--FB Corey McIntyre is a powerful blocker for the team's strong runnng game who does his job with no complaints. Should return for his sixth season.

--LB Kirk Morrison was a healthy inactive for 12 games before being released and re-signed. His career is at a crossroad and he's not likely to return.

--QB Tyler Thigpen has thrown just 13 passes in a backup role for two seasons. The team is revisiting its entire quarterback situation and Thigpen probably falls no better than fourth on the depth chart.